Watchdog: Black Friday will be brighter if you avoid these scams

The official holiday shopping season, which starts on Black Friday, is also the favorite season for scammers, thieves and merchants who may fudge the truth to get a sale. Here's a roundup of advice for how to keep your finances safe online and in the stores.

The National Crime Prevention Council and AlertID say if you are paying with cash, be discreet to avoid letting bystanders know you've got a lot of money on you. You can also buy disposable credit cards if you want the safety and convenience of a card without establishing a credit card account. And keep your credit card or checkbook in your purse or pocket until it's time to pay; someone could be looking over your shoulder and getting your account information if it's in plain view.

The organizations also advise that if you're shopping at bricks-and-mortar stores and need to put purchases in your vehicle and then go back into the store, stash them in the trunk. That way, no one can see packages by looking into your car in the parking lot or ramp. When you're headed to your car, have your keys in your hand so you can get in immediately. Before entering, check to make sure no one is in the back seat or lurking around the car.

Scambook.com, a website where online complaints can be resolved, warns you about a new scam that promises you a free Target gift card but could end up costing you money instead. If you get this text message, don't respond to it: "Your entry last month WON! Go to

Target itself is not connected to this scheme. It's what's called smishing -- a text message sends you to a website, where you're asked to enter personal and financial information, and with that, the crooks can duplicate your credit card and buy things on your nickel.

AARP columnist Sid Kirchheimer reminds you to use truly protective PINs to keep thieves from getting into your bank account through an ATM if they steal your wallet or purse.

Do not use: your birth date, your birth year, a string of numbers on the ATM keypad, the last four digits of your Social Security number, or numbers that thieves could find in public records, like your phone number or address.

Do use: numbers that you can easily remember but are no longer listed, like part of your childhood phone number; numbers that aren't specific to you but that you know, like the phone number of your favorite pizza restaurant; the date of an event in your personal history, like the first date with your spouse.

The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota advises you to be skeptical when you're told something is on sale. It's only a deal if the original price was reasonable. Take the time to comparison-shop. Check out Black Friday ads online; sometimes a coupon will be available on a website before it's in print. Before you buy, find out the business's policy on returns, refunds and restocking fees. Keep your receipts where you can easily find them later.

And, since Cyber Monday is right around the corner, the BBB reminds you to update your computer's spam filters, anti-virus and anti-spyware software, and firewall. Before buying, especially from a company you're not familiar with, check out its reputation at bbb.org.

Use a credit card, because you have the right to dispute the charge if you don't receive the item. Keep your paperwork organized. Check your credit card statements online frequently throughout the holiday season to make sure nobody else is using your number.

And always remember: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.